10 WWE Jobbers Who Became Wrestling GAME-CHANGERS

2. AJ Styles

As the intro states, not many could've foreseen AJ Styles going from TNA wonder to WWE Hall Of Famer in 2002, but this examination stretches further back than even Total Nonstop Action. In 2001 and into early '02, AJ wrestled 3 enhancement matches for the-then WWF - one against Rick Michaels on Jakked/Metal, another against The Hurricane on the same weekly, then one against Rico before Sunday Night Heat was taped.

It was a whirlwind experience for Styles, but there's a lovely bit of real-life love to his story. AJ reportedly knocked back the chance to pursue a developmental deal with the company because he didn't want his wife to uproot her career dreams and move to accommodate it. What a guy.

That fabulously lovely gesture would pay off years down the line. Perhaps Styles knew he could dazzle in an upstart division like TNA then eventually fight his way back into WWE's good graces, or maybe he didn't even think of that at all and only had eyes for the love of his life. Either way, it shows he's a class act.

TNA was real kind of him after that, and a stint in New Japan post-Impact led to Bullet Club thrills that caught WWE's attention big time. His 2016 Royal Rumble debut lives long in the memory, and so does everything that happened after that; from feuds with John Cena to WWE Title wins and a retirement vs. Gunther at the 2026 Rumble.

AJ Styles has influenced countless young wrestlers since those X Division days in TNA. Now, working at WWE's Performance Center, he can continue that great work.